Autumn Boy set for Sydney return by Epsom Day

While Autumn Boy commenced the week in Melbourne, trainer Chris Waller anticipates the multiple Group 1 victor will be present in Sydney on Saturday for the running of the Epsom Handicap at Randwick.

The celebrated trainer confirmed at the weekend that the historic mile, a Group 1 event carrying a $1.5 million purse, was the intended target for the winner of both the Caulfield Guineas and Rosehill Guineas.

Autumn Boy's initial two starts this campaign – an eighth in the Memsie Stakes and a second in the Makybe Diva Stakes – have taken place in Melbourne. He is scheduled to have his final gallop there before making his way north after Tuesday morning's barrier draw.

Should the colt falter significantly in his upcoming outing, Waller might reconsider his plans for the son of The Autumn Sun, with champion jockey James McDonald already secured for the ride.

"Maybe (if he drew) barrier 20, but when we're committed to James I'd say he'd come up," Waller remarked when asked what would prevent him from participating in the Epsom.

"He's not back from Melbourne, he's going to gallop there Tuesday and he's going to come back Wednesday night. I guess there is a five per cent chance I could run him in the Turnbull, but that's highly unlikely. He'll run in the Epsom, that's our plan and James (McDonald) is booked to ride him so that's showing our hand pretty firmly."

Autumn Boy had been entered for Saturday's Turnbull Stakes at Flemington as a precautionary measure. However, Waller's primary contenders for that $1 million Group 1 race are expected to be Aeliana, Asterix, Buckaroo, Birdman, and O'Hope Wins.

This weekend, Autumn Boy will strive to better his runner-up performance in Randwick's other significant Group 1 mile handicap, the Doncaster Mile, where he finished behind Sheza Alibi in April of this year. He also finished second to the Victorian mare in the Randwick Guineas and in his most recent start, the 1600m Makybe Diva Stakes on September 12.

Autumn Boy is assigned 55.5kg for the Epsom Handicap, for which he is the $3.50 favourite, facing competition from the unbeaten Kiwi star Well Written ($4.50), Attica ($6), and Ceolwulf ($8) in the betting.

Get the latest racing odds for the Epsom Handicap and other major races at leading Australian betting sites.